#Charmer: Miss America Nina Davuluri defends student who asked her to the Prom

Miss America Nina Davuluri has sprung to the defence of a High School student who was suspended after he asked her to the prom.

Indian-American Ms Davuluri was speaking at the Central York High School in Pennsylvania on Thursday when Patrick Farves approached her with a plastic flower and asked her to the year-end dance.

“I was flattered by the gesture, although I am unfortunately unable to attend due to my travel schedule,” Ms Davuluri said in a statement posted on Facebook.

However, whilst many found Patrick’s gesture sweet and funny, his teachers did not.

He was suspended for three days after teachers said he had been told not to go through with the “stunt”.

Ms Davuluri, who became the first Indian-American to win the Miss America title in September, came to the student’s defence, saying: “I learned of the disciplinary action taken and reached out to the school in the hope that they will reconsider their decision.”

Patrick himself has admitted he feels bad that his stunt overshadowed Ms Davuluri’s talk.

“She was trying to get across a very strong message – about how it’s not about your beliefs or the colour of your skin, but who you are,” Patrick said.